Drain connection

ABSTRACT

A drain for showers or the like which eliminates the need for conventional caulking materials. An internally and externally threaded member found in most drains is modified adjacent its lower internal end, and between such member and a drain pipe there is provided a specially designed gasket. The internal threads of the member adjacent its upper end receive a nut, the latter bearing on the upper end of the gasket, urging the latter into sealing engagement between the pipe and drain member.

United States Patent Cuschera [4 June 13, 1972 [54] DRAIN CONNECTION 2,908,513 10/1959 Karlinski ..2ss/ss [72] Inventor: Casper Cuschera, 31650 Nedinah Street, FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Hayward, Calif. 251,074 9/1962 Australia .285/58 F11ed= g- 24, 1970 710,504 7/1934 France .1 ..4/166 1 l. 66 262 [2 1 App No Primary Examiner-Frederick L. Matteson Assistant Examiner-W. C. Anderson [52] U.S. Cl ..4/288, 285/58 Attorney-Harris Zimmerman [51] Int. Cl ..E03c 1/26 [58] Field ofSearch ..4/145, 146, 191, 197, 286. [57] ABSTRACT 4/288; 285/56' 60 A drain for showers or the like which eliminates the need for conventional caulking materials. An internally and externally [56] References Cited threaded member found in most drains is modified adjacent its UNITED STATES PATENTS lower internal end, and between such member and a drain pipe there is provided a specially designed gasket. The internal 3,012,252 l2/1961 threads of the member adjacent its upper end receive a nut, 922,471 5/1909 the latter bearing on the upper end of the gasket, urging the 956,314 4/ 1910 latter into sealing engagement between the pipe and drain 1,217,965 3/1917 b 1,505,683 8/1924 2,197,874 4/1940 7Claims,3DrawingFigures PATENTEnJum I972 3,668,718

P l8 INVENTOR.

CASPER CUSCHERA BY ATTORNEY DRAIN CONNECTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In connection with the installation of drains in prefabricated shower receptors and the like, it is generally accepted practice to attach the drain fitting to an opening in the receptor and in alignment with the drain pipe. In order to provide an effective seal between the drain and the pipe, the services of a skilled plumber have been required to caulk the joint with molten lead or like caulking material. This procedure is both time consuming and expensive.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the caulking operation has been eliminated, and an effective seal is provided with the use of a novel gasket and nut which cooperate with the main drain to seal the same to the pipe.

While the invention will be described in connection with shower drains for prefabricated receptors, the teachings are likewise applicable to other drains, such as toilets, where conventional practice has utilized caulking material to effect a seal between a fitting and a drain or discharge pipe.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a shower receptor equipped with the drain fitting of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the drain fitting of this invention; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the parts shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION In broad terms, the drain of the present invention is adapted for installation in an opening provided in the base of a shower receptor 12 and in alignment with a discharge pipe 14. It is, of course, essential that water in the receptor will find its way to the upper open end 16 of the pipe without leakage of any kind.

The present apparatus may best be described as the same is installed on the receptor. First, a fitting 18 is inserted in the opening 10. Fitting 18 is normally referred to as the drain and includes a generally cylindrical body 20 withan outwardly directed peripheral flange 22 engageable with the receptor 12 adjacent the opening 10. As indicated, the lower surface of the flange 22 is beveled to engage a corresponding bevel or taper on the upper receptor surface. It will also be noted that the internal bore of the body 20 is spaced from the outer peripheral surface of pipe 14 for a purpose presently to be described. The lower distal end of the body is provided with a radially, inwardly directed flange 24, and the inner and outer surfaces of the body are threaded as indicated at 26 and 28 respectively. The threads terminate upwardly from flange 24, and it is important to note that the lower inner end portion of the body tapers inwardly or converges toward flange 24, such taper being designated by the numeral 30.

Fitting 18 may merely be dropped in position in the opening 10 and is secured to the receptor by a nut 32 having internal threads 34 engageable with threads 28 of fitting l8. Nut 32 is positioned subjacent the receptor 12 and has an annular flange 36 at its upper edge which engages a washer 38 and gasket 40 to provide a proper seal. This method of attaching a drain to a receptor is well known in the art and no further description or explanation is deemed necessary.

With the drain fitting thus installed, the sealing means of the present invention will now be discussed. First, in the annular space between drain 18 and pipe 14 there is provided a gasket 42 made of neoprene or similar material. The gasket is of generally sleeve-like configuration and has an internal bore provided with radially inwardly directed ribs 44 engageable with the outer peripheral surface of pipe 14. The outer surface of the gasket has a first portion 46 which extends from the upper end thereof diverging or tapering downwardly and outwardly, a second portion 48 of cylindrical shape, and a third portion 50 which converges or tapers inwardly towards the lower end of the gasket. The portion 50 matches the taper 30 of the drain fitting.

er the gasket is inserted in the above manner, a nut 52 made from brass or the like and provided with external threads 54, is threadedly engaged with the internal threads 26 of the drain 18. The lower end portion 56 of the nut slopes upwardly and inwardly and is intended to engage the tapered portion 46 of gasket 42. The upper end of the nut is provided with a plurality of downwardly and inwardly directed slots 58 for directing water inwardly and downwardly towards pipe 14. These slots may also be used to engage a spanner wrench or similar tool for threading the nut downwardly in the drain 18.

As will be understood, as the nut is tightened, the gasket surface 46 will be engaged by nut surface 56, urging the gasket downwardly and inwardly. As the gasket is axially compressed it will expand both the pipe and the drain. In this latter connection, it will be understood that the drain tapered portion 30 will likewise force the lower end of the gasket inwardly into sealing engagement with the pipe.

To provide a seal between the upper endof the pipe and the nut 52, a seal 60 is provided. Seal 60 has an annular skirt 64 positioned between the pipe and the nut. This seal may likewise be formed of neoprene.

To complete the installation, a snap on type of strainer 66 is inserted over the receptor opening, the strainer having depending elements 68 engageable in the nut slots 58.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the installation may be rapidly made without requiring caulk material or special tools and by a person having a minimum amount of technical training or ability. Gasket 42, with its inter-engagement with drain l8 and nut 52 will provide an adequate and acceptable seal around pipe 14 without danger of any leakage.

I claim:

1. A drain connection for a vertical pipe comprising a fitting having a generally cylindrical body with inner and outer surfaces internally and externally threaded, respectively, and with an outwardly directed peripheral flange at the upper end thereof, said internal threads being in annular spaced relation to said pipe, said fitting having an inwardly directed portion adjacent the lower end thereof, a resilient annular gasket interposed between said fitting andsaid pipe and engageable with said inwardly directed fitting portion, said gasket having its upper portion terminating below at least the upper portion of said fitting threads, and an externally threaded nut engageable with said fitting internal threads and having a lower end portion engageable with the upper end portion of said gasket for urging the gasket downwardly towards said inwardly directed fitting portion.

2. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which the inner surface of said gasket is provided with radially inwardly directed ribs.

3. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which said inwardly directed fitting portion includes a taper terminating in a radially inwardly directed flange at the lower end thereof.

4. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which the outer surface of said gasket has a lower portion tapering downwardly and inwardly.

5. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which said lower end portion of said nut is provided with an inwardly and upwardly directed taper.

6. A connection as set forth in claim 5 in which said upper end portion of said gasket is provided with a downwardly and outwardly directed taper.

7. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which a seal is provided between the upper end of said pipe and said nut, said seal having an annular portion overlying the upper end of said pipe, and an external skirt positioned between the exterior surface of said pipe and said nut. 

1. A drain connection for a vertical pipe comprising a fitting having a generally cylindrical body with inner and outer surfaces internally and externally threaded, respectively, and with an outwardly directed peripheral flange at the upper end thereof, said internal threads being in annular spaced relation to said pipe, said fitting having an inwardly directed portion adjacent the lower end thereof, a resilient annular gasket interposed between said fitting and said pipe and engageable with said inwardly directed fitting portion, said gasket having its upper portion terminating below at least the upper portion of said fitting threads, and an externally threaded nut engageable with said fitting internal threads and having a lower end portion engageable with the upper end portion of said gasket for urging the gasket downwardly towards said inwardly directed fitting portion.
 2. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which the inner surface of said gasket is provided with radially inwardly directed ribs.
 3. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which said inwardly directed fitting portion includes a tAper terminating in a radially inwardly directed flange at the lower end thereof.
 4. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which the outer surface of said gasket has a lower portion tapering downwardly and inwardly.
 5. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which said lower end portion of said nut is provided with an inwardly and upwardly directed taper.
 6. A connection as set forth in claim 5 in which said upper end portion of said gasket is provided with a downwardly and outwardly directed taper.
 7. A connection as set forth in claim 1 in which a seal is provided between the upper end of said pipe and said nut, said seal having an annular portion overlying the upper end of said pipe, and an external skirt positioned between the exterior surface of said pipe and said nut. 